Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-15
CHANGES IN THE RULES.
THE HOUSE THRICE PUZZLED
BY THE SAME POINT.

MIR. willis Holds That n Member Can
Call Up as Privileged Question
resolution to Change the Rules After
ItHas Lain Over One Day.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-In the House
+o-dsy Mr.. Henderson, OF Iowa, called up
the resolution offered by him Monday last
discnarging the committee OF the whole
from further consideration of the Senate
hill granting pension to Mary 5. Logan,
and making that bill the special order for
tomorrow Immediately after the reading
Of the journal. Mr.. Breckinridge. of
Kentucky, made point of order that it
was not competent for the gentleman to
call up the resolution for action, but that
II must be referred to the Committee on
Rules.
THE EFFECT ON THE BLAIR BILL.
Mr.. Willis, OF Kentucky, combatted this
posItlon. He had recently studied the
rules in relation to another matter, the
Rlair educational bill, and he was con-
yinced that it was within the power of a
member to offer resolution to change the
rules, let it lie over for one day, and then
scall it up as a privileged question. The
v.onstitution gave the House power to
amend its rules. If the Speaker ruled
that every proposition to change the rules
must be referred to the Committee on
Rules, 322 members of the House would
heunder the control OF a majority OF that
committee, consisting of three men.
MADE TOO LATE.
Mr.. Henderson contended that even II
che point of order had any merit, 1T was
presented too late. The proper time to
nave made the point was when the reso.
luton was originally offered.
Mr.. Crisp, Of Georgia, thought that the
polnt of order was well taken. The
proposition was not one to change the
rules. but to take particular measure
from out the operation of the rules. To
hold that such resolution was privI-
legged tor immediate consideration would
be utter destruction OF the rights of the
minority, which were sought to be pro-
'.cJed By the rules.
MR.. HAMMoND's LOGIC.
MIR Hammond of Georgia, took the
came ground. The resolution was not
proposition TO change the rules, which
might be acted upon after one days
notice, but one to suspend the rules.
n Notions to suspend the rules could only
be entertained at certain specified times,
/ and required a tw0-thirds vote; and if
this resolution was held to be privileged,
u the rules could be suspended at any time
81 and by a simple majority vote.
THE sPEANER's VIEWS.
Tue Speaker said that in view of the
Il previous decision the chair had little
doubt as to the right of member to give
notice of an intention TO ask for a change
Of the rules, but the question upon which
q the chair had very grave doubts was as 10
4 the status OF the matter when again called
up. The cnair would like to examine
sr,fn nat
The mater was then laid over until to-
a morrow.
IL was at the Speakers suggestion that
Mr.. Henderson consented to the post
ponement. The decision of the Speaker
VIII De OF Importance, owing to the fact
that should the point OF order be over
ruled the friends of the Blair educational
bill will resort to the same method to Sc
cure day for consideration ofthat meas
81 ure.
THE BLAIR BILL CALLED UP.
Gr Wills, of New York, as privi-
eyed question, offered a resolution dis
charging the Committee on Education
rom further consideration OF the Blair
educational bill, and making that bill a
continuing special order for Feb. 10, and
asked that 1t lie over for one day.
MI springer, of Illinois. made the point
d order chat 1t was not in order now to
0HSA hhO ICoOlullOus ludL IL OueT0U I
must be referred to the Committee on
Rules.
The Speaker decided that under clause
|, rule 2S, member bad a right to give
uotice OF proposed amendment of the
rules. The question as to what the status
Of the resolution would be when it was
called up the chair did not decide. He
would take that matter under considera-
lion.
MR.. SPRINGER'S PROTEST.
Ar. Springer protesting against
ne ruling, offered resolution
making the tariff bill the special
Vfuer for Thursday next. 1t
snail be 10 order to consider the bill IN
ne House, and alter thirty minutes de-
Va oSIe the previous question shall be Deem
Gu as ordered, and the bill shall be nut
upon Its passage, and but one dilatory
lotlon shall be entertained until the
luest!on is put on the final passage of the
oa' Mr.. Dingley, OF Maine, made the
pOint 0t order that the resolution was not
notice OF change OF the rules, and
lerefore could not be entertained. The
YPeaker also took this question under ad-